House Bill 1043

AN ACT TO PROHIBIT HUNTING WITHIN ONE-HALF MILE OF ANY
DWELLING; TO PRESCRIBE PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. (1)
It shall be unlawful for any person to hunt any wild animal or wild bird
during any open hunting season on wild game within one-half (1/2) mile of a
dwelling, whether such dwelling is on public or private lands of another,
without the landowner's permission. If
any person is found to be in violation, such person, upon conviction, shall be
guilty of a Class II violation and punished as provided in Section 49-7-143.

(2)
For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the
meanings ascribed herein:

(a)
"Dwelling" means a building or conveyance of any kind that has
a roof over it, whether the building or conveyance is temporary or permanent,
mobile or immobile, that is designed to be occupied by people lodging therein
at night, including any attached porch.

(b)
"Hunting" means to hunt, chase or to shoot at or kill or to
pursue with the intent to take, kill or wound any wild animal or wild bird with
a firearm, bow or any other device that serves to launch a projectile.

SECTION
2. This act shall take effect and
be in force from and after July 1, 2007.